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Screwed up firmware update

RaceTrak

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I bought the Evo II Pro 6k Version 2 this week. During setup, it said there was a firmware update, which I attempted to do, but it failed multiple times. I gave up.

I took it for a test flight and all went well.

I was going to test fly it again today but got the nag to update the firmware again. So I tried again multiple times through the app and it failed again.

So I did it manually with the SD card method. Which appeared to work, but the controller bricked.

After some investigation, I found that I had inadvertently put the smart controller firmware on the SD card when I have the standard controller.

The controller won't talk to the aircraft, so I can't upload the correct firmware that way. I have been unable to find any answers as to somehow updating the firmware to the controller directly.

Does anyone know if this is possible? Autel support isn't answering their phones due to covid - email support only.

Thanks in advance for any help (and please keep the name calling to a minimum - I know I'm an idiot...... lol)
 
That's what I assume as well - I was just hoping someone knew of a utility that could write the firmware from the PC to the controller directly without using the drone. Bah.

Ultimately my fault, but the controller nagged me to get firmware version "2.1.77" and I couldn't get it to work "OTA" after many attempts. So I went to the website and downloaded version 2.1.77...

I don't know how I grabbed the wrong one, but as someone who has written a fair share of software, I'm a little peeved that they would use the exact same version number for different versions of the firmware. I get that the underlying functionality is the same, but call one "2.1.77s" or something...

As we used to say, you can make something idiot proof, but you can never make it user proof. I never thought I'd be on this end of that saying, though. lol
 
That's what I assume as well - I was just hoping someone knew of a utility that could write the firmware from the PC to the controller directly without using the drone. Bah.

Ultimately my fault, but the controller nagged me to get firmware version "2.1.77" and I couldn't get it to work "OTA" after many attempts. So I went to the website and downloaded version 2.1.77...

I don't know how I grabbed the wrong one, but as someone who has written a fair share of software, I'm a little peeved that they would use the exact same version number for different versions of the firmware. I get that the underlying functionality is the same, but call one "2.1.77s" or something...

As we used to say, you can make something idiot proof, but you can never make it user proof. I never thought I'd be on this end of that saying, though. lol
Point us to the page where you d/l'd the wrong v2.1.77 firmware, RaceTrak
 
Yeah - that's the page - I knew I didn't have the smart controller, but I apparently accidentally flipped the tab before I hit download. You just have to mouse over it and it changes - you don't have to click the tab to switch to it... (at least on the browser I'm using - Microsoft Edge...)

And once it was downloaded, all I saw was the 2.1.77 version number - the filenames are only slightly different -- one says "pad" one says "8020". In hindsight, "pad" probably should have tipped me off, but why give the files those names instead of "standard" and "smart."

Frustrating. I know I screwed up, but there are sooooo many ways that this process could have been improved to lessen the likelihood of a screwup like this happening.
 
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Good afternoon! I had a similar situation. I downloaded the firmware for the smart controller by mistake and the controller stopped working for me. I contacted AUTEL technical support, they didn't help me there. Contact technical support, they will only help there if you reach them... Good luck!
 
I called them. They initially said if you put the firmware on a USB drive and stick it into the controller, it will reprogram it. But that didn't work...

So now I have to send both the drone and the controller to them and now I am waiting for the instructions to do that. It's taking a frustratingly long time to get this done...
 
That's what I have... I have to send them both in and they will send them both back. They aren't going to swap them.

I did ask if they could buy a new controller and then send this one back and get a partial refund for it just to save time but they said they only do not have any V2 controllers in stock at all for sale (just a handful for warranty replacements).
 
There are no components in the Chinese factory that produces controllers for autel. It's been a month since I've been waiting for a standard V2 controller.
 
I experienced a similar thing with that firmware update for my EVO Pro v2. Everything seemed to be OK after doing the manual install. I took off, ascended to 390 ft, took some still images, tested out the 16x zoom feature, then tried to shoot some panorama images. The icon spun for awhile and then it said "Mission failed". Same result for different panorama settings. I brought it down to land and it said "controller disconnected", but I still had video. pulling the left stick for down, it would come down to about ten feet and then go up to about 50 feet. Tried RTH - no luck. Was still able to bring it down, but it would head right back up. Tried several more times and it did land. Sent a note to Autel with a description of the "adventure" and they said send in the drone and controller. They turned it around within one day and it works great again. No complaints with Autel tech support.
 
Final followup - Autel also turned around my drone and controller in one day. Due to Covid induced short staffing, I had to keep calling and calling to get the RMA number and instructions for return, but once they received it, the service from the repair staff was great.

(Clarification: The tech support staff was swamped and behind, and I get that so I don't mean to complain about that. I just wanted to mention it so that if anyone has a problem, and you're going through the process, don't wait too long to hear back from them -- be proactive and call them back for regular updates and to keep the process moving.
 
Final followup - Autel also turned around my drone and controller in one day. Due to Covid induced short staffing, I had to keep calling and calling to get the RMA number and instructions for return, but once they received it, the service from the repair staff was great.

(Clarification: The tech support staff was swamped and behind, and I get that so I don't mean to complain about that. I just wanted to mention it so that if anyone has a problem, and you're going through the process, don't wait too long to hear back from them -- be proactive and call them back for regular updates and to keep the process moving.
That's good to hear.
 
This was my issue where the firmware install bricked the controller. I got an RMA number. After talking to Autel, I was real careful downloading the software and both files (one that contaminated my controller and the new files after talking to Autel) are identical with the same name and size. Loading the smart controller on the regular controller should not be possible. In my 52 years of being a computer programmer, system programmer, and computer security specialist, I have never seen a situation where software can be loaded on the wrong hardware. A hardware check to assure compatibility is the first part of any software upgrade I have been evolved with during all of my software projects over the years.
 
Last edited:
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At least they SHOULD do is to need to CLICK on right version, not just change if you go over it with your mouse...
But....same programmers probably as for Autel Explorer, no practical thinking with safety protocols.
 
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Sadly my both Autel EVO2 Pro got stunned with firmware and after sending them both to Autel:
Just got a message from Autel

Invoice #D7176​

:

Order summary​

Labor × 1
2 hours
$120.00
EVO II Aircraft - Bottom Shell Orange - Complete Assembly × 2$50.00
EVO II RC - Mainboard PCB × 2$270.00
Subtotal
$440.00
Shipping
$0.00
Total
$440.00 USD
Something wrong here, the filthy games continue, cover up after cover up.
Both my drones are like " New" without any damage other than just last firmware that stunned my drones, .
The remote power refused to shut down, forcing me to open the remotes to disconnect the battery to save my remote battery !

You need to wake up and fix my drones and then correct those issues mentioned time after time with proper firmware.
A. The video feedback on both drones keeps freezing, forcing me to abort the mission just to re-boot all over again !
B. GPS takes awful long time before lock up after powering up the drone.
C. In the middle of taking 12 picture Panoramic pictures the drone stops taking pictures when its cold outside.
D. The remote battery needs charging often you needed a bigger battery to start with !

You have been playing games with hard to recover Autel Reputation at stake ! !
High time China Head Office Intervenes and look in to this scam ! !
Where is your upper management ?
look and see the deep corruption that has taken over Autel ! !

Regards,
Ajay Madan
PS: Why did Autel not have the Smart controller firmware in the next line in stead of next to each other, yet the update went smoothly with no hitch.
Loading the smart controller on the regular controller should not be
possible.
 

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